A well-known Republican is due in court today over the stabbing of his wife in a house in Cavan on Christmas eve.

Pearse McAuley of Canal Bank Walk, Castleforde in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan was accused of assault causing harm to Pauline Tully-McAuley after she was found with serious stab wounds to the upper body last week.

Mr McAuley was also charged with threatening to kill three people on the same date - one of them included his wife, who is a former Sinn Féin councillor.

He has been granted free legal aid.

Mr McAuley is due to come before a judge at Harristown District Court later.